Two minute changes in a gene that is otherwise identical in humans and chimps could explain why we have full-fledged power of speech while other primates can only grunt or screech, scientists said on Wednesday.

The findings may also point to new drug targets for hard-to-treat diseases that disrupt speech, such as schizophrenia and autism, they said.

A decade ago, researchers discovered that members of an extended family beset with a rare inherited speech disorder all shared the same defect in a gene called FOXP2.

Investigators then found that a small number of patients with another speech-related disease, developmental dysphasia, also had mutations in the gene.

A gene that's identical in humans and chimps? Heeeeey, you're not implying that we came from monkeys or any of that heretic crap, are you? Cause me, I and myself, we created from a heap of manure by our lord...errr...our lord....damn, what's his name again?